In January 2014, Russian tourists reduced their spending on purchases during foreign trips by approximately 51% compared to the statistics for the same month last year, reports the press service of the company Global Blue, which specializes in VAT refunds for purchases in tax-free stores in countries outside the EU.
An analysis of statistics on purchases by Russian tourists in tax-free stores showed that in France, our compatriots spent 41% less in January than a year earlier, and the average guest from the Russian Federation spent 1 euros on purchases.
Purchasing activity of Russians in Italy and Germany decreased by 56 and 38 percent respectively. The average amount spent by tourists in tax-free shops in Italy is 574 euros, while in Germany it is only 388 euros.
Meanwhile, Global Blue notes that even taking into account the significant decline in purchasing power, Russians remain in second place among the most active customers of tax-free points of sale in Europe. The first place is firmly established tourists from China, which account for about 10% of all transactions.
